Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: Jodocus on September 20, 2014, 03:30:16 am

Title: first heat treat!
Post by: Jodocus on September 20, 2014, 03:30:16 am
I have been finding this stone around my home for quite some time. It's lacustrine silex , and it looks just like the famous silex of Grand-Pressigny that was traded all over europe in neolithic times. Beautiful, sometimes translucent yellow stone. But it doesn't knap like that at all, it's super though.
So for the first time yesterday, I heat treated some stone. In the oven, around 250 C / 480 f degrees, for 3 hours, just a couple of tiny shards. Then I tried it as soon as it had cooled :o

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

That stuff is as easy as my very best flint! The difference is amazing, I would never have expected that. And it looks SWEET! I'll be over my pile of crappy rock today and put it all under the fire and see it turn to gold!  :) :D :laugh: ;D
Title: Re: first heat treat!
Post by: bowmo on September 20, 2014, 05:21:35 am
Heating is a addictive. We have a grey chert here in Illinois that is quite tough and not very easy to knap and if you heat to 500 for a day it turns it to white or cream colored stone that is very easy to flake. It's amazing what temps we use to cook food with can do.
Title: Re: first heat treat!
Post by: Zuma on September 20, 2014, 10:20:44 am
"You'll never know if you don't go" Smashmouth
A purse from a pig's ear!
Good for you Jo
Zuma
Title: Re: first heat treat!
Post by: cowboy on September 20, 2014, 11:07:04 am
That AHAH!!! Moment. Amazed me too, cooked hundreds of rocks since :).
Title: Re: first heat treat!
Post by: JackCrafty on September 20, 2014, 02:24:39 pm
I cook all of mine too.  Very few rocks in my area will not benefit from heat.
Title: Re: first heat treat!
Post by: flungonin on September 20, 2014, 08:50:04 pm
I was looking for some pic's!
Title: Re: first heat treat!
Post by: Jodocus on September 21, 2014, 12:50:25 am
flugonin, I'm at work right now, but since you ask so nicely, I'll upload you some tomorrow!  ;)
Title: Re: first heat treat!
Post by: flungonin on September 21, 2014, 01:39:42 am
I have yet to heat anything. Anxious on how everyone else heated rock comes out. Especially if it is easier to knapp. Color is always a plus